Feb 18, 2015, 02:53 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Tips to selling you motorcycle privately.
• Cash is most recommended – Finalize deals at banks
• Protect yourself legally (Title Signing, Notarization, Fees, & Payment)
• Test drives are up to seller’s discretion
Most importantly stay safe. Know your buyer and if you feel uncomfortable with the sell trust your gut.
Read full discussion below for more information.
• Cash is most recommended – Finalize deals at banks
• Protect yourself legally (Title Signing, Notarization, Fees, & Payment)
• Test drives are up to seller’s discretion
Most importantly stay safe. Know your buyer and if you feel uncomfortable with the sell trust your gut.
Read full discussion below for more information.
How do you sell a motorcycle privately?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,420
From: USA
And just what will you do if something like this happens??Allstate Mayhem Commercials: Test Driver - YouTube
I sold a KDX 250 some 20 years back. Kid comes over, had his helmet. Tells me he's been riding his whole life........kid takes off in the street rides a wheelie and flips the thing right over.....
Back fender gone! Exhaust gone!, His leg is bleeding all over the place. I tell the kid you just bought it! He says " I can't ride this thing, I'll kill myself" I break out the Denis Kirk catalog and price out the parts. He pays up. I sell the bike crashed to someone else.
I got lucky.
I sold a sport bike recently, no test ride. I sold a Vulcan recently no test ride. I sold a CB750, a $300 flip for $600. I let the kid ride it.
Test ride a Harley...Never happen in my book.
Back fender gone! Exhaust gone!, His leg is bleeding all over the place. I tell the kid you just bought it! He says " I can't ride this thing, I'll kill myself" I break out the Denis Kirk catalog and price out the parts. He pays up. I sell the bike crashed to someone else.
I got lucky.
I sold a sport bike recently, no test ride. I sold a Vulcan recently no test ride. I sold a CB750, a $300 flip for $600. I let the kid ride it.
Test ride a Harley...Never happen in my book.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
If I sell a bike it is sold locally. I use the bank for payment and prefer to go to the court house for the transaction.
That is selling or buying.
If I am buying used its for a project so Listening to it and seeing it work is good.
I will not allow anyone test ride any of my bikes for any reason.
I sold my last one at the HD dealership. They did not buy it. They offered me less than I would take and a couple wanted mine. I rode theirs and they mine. They charged $50 which we split to do the paper work. Got what I wanted. What are the chances of that happening.
That is selling or buying.
If I am buying used its for a project so Listening to it and seeing it work is good.
I will not allow anyone test ride any of my bikes for any reason.
I sold my last one at the HD dealership. They did not buy it. They offered me less than I would take and a couple wanted mine. I rode theirs and they mine. They charged $50 which we split to do the paper work. Got what I wanted. What are the chances of that happening.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 3
From: Parkton,MD.
I don't allow a buyer to test ride my bike unless I know them. I want cash on the barrel-head or I will be glad to go to the bank with them so they can get the cash. Someone previously said, cheez it's only a bike, with reference to a buyer test riding your bike. He can sell his junk bikes that way if he so desires but when I stand to have a $15 k to $20 K Harley wrecked by some stranger, no thanks.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,618
Likes: 10,437
From: Des moines IA
It really is just a bike, no different than selling a car or truck. I would never buy one without a test ride so therefore I won't make someone buy one that way.
My vehicles have full coverage insurance, if I let a licensed rider on my bike, it's covered. If they total it on a test ride, I sold my bike to the highest bidder, the insurance company.
If I'm selling it, it's no longer my baby. I've moved on to something else, no emotional attachment at that point.
My vehicles have full coverage insurance, if I let a licensed rider on my bike, it's covered. If they total it on a test ride, I sold my bike to the highest bidder, the insurance company.
If I'm selling it, it's no longer my baby. I've moved on to something else, no emotional attachment at that point.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
From: Gainesville, VA
I sold my first bike (a BMW) about 6 years ago. I clearly posted "No test rides". Guy shows up and I ride it in front of my house to show him it moves and shifts gears. Guy asks if he can test ride it. Nope, ain't gonna happen. He buys the bike without a test ride. Cash exchanged, title and receipt signed. No problems. Then I watch him ride down the street and hit a garbage can. NO TEST RIDES!
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 116
Likes: 4
From: Surrey, BC
I guess I've been lucky. When I sold my Road King, the guy stared at it for a good 30 seconds... I broke the silence with a list of what I did to it. Another deafening 30 seconds went by. I broke the silence again with "It sounds great, too." and I started it up, gave it a couple of revs and shut it down.
He said I'll be back in 10 minutes with the cash.
It took me about 15 minutes to count the $10K in various bills, then off he road into the sunset. No test ride, no questions...
For me, cash only. I'll drive him to the bank, get him to cash his draft in his own name and deposit it into my account right there if I have to. No test rides until the guy has agreed to buy it. If the guy is serious, I take a scan of the guys license. Every transaction is different, but you can usually tell if the guy is a rider and serious about the bike.
When I bought my RGC, I drove down to look at it, agreed to buy on a handshake, then took it around the block for a quick test ride. I got copies of the title and the following day I wired the cash directly into the sellers account. They emailed me a bill of sale and I picked up the bike a week later.
I think if someone really wants your bike, they'll do what they can to make it work.
He said I'll be back in 10 minutes with the cash.
It took me about 15 minutes to count the $10K in various bills, then off he road into the sunset. No test ride, no questions...
For me, cash only. I'll drive him to the bank, get him to cash his draft in his own name and deposit it into my account right there if I have to. No test rides until the guy has agreed to buy it. If the guy is serious, I take a scan of the guys license. Every transaction is different, but you can usually tell if the guy is a rider and serious about the bike.
When I bought my RGC, I drove down to look at it, agreed to buy on a handshake, then took it around the block for a quick test ride. I got copies of the title and the following day I wired the cash directly into the sellers account. They emailed me a bill of sale and I picked up the bike a week later.
I think if someone really wants your bike, they'll do what they can to make it work.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,086
Likes: 1,128
From:
As a DIY make sure to transfer title at tag office with buyer.
You do not want your name on the title of the bike once it changes hands.
If it is a higher dollar bike that can be financed then consider a consignment dealer since they can assist in obtaining financing for people an it will increase your purchase pool.
There are many people that have good income but no savings.
You would be amazed how people will purchase an $18,000 bike over an $8,000 bike because it is an easier purchase as a financed deal at a consignment dealer instead of a cash deal.
You do not want your name on the title of the bike once it changes hands.
If it is a higher dollar bike that can be financed then consider a consignment dealer since they can assist in obtaining financing for people an it will increase your purchase pool.
There are many people that have good income but no savings.
You would be amazed how people will purchase an $18,000 bike over an $8,000 bike because it is an easier purchase as a financed deal at a consignment dealer instead of a cash deal.
